Is UD headed for disaster?

[miscs75]

I do what I can. I doubt it'll have much long-term effect, but the point stands. Of the nearly 20 products on the market already from 2011-12 my interest is marginal in the great majority of them. Here's my Carey Price numbers from this season:
Artifacts: 6 - 3 base/parallels; 3 memorabilia
Between The Pipes: 4 - base, 1 auto, 2 memorabilia (more likely to come)
Black Diamond: 4: 3 base/parallels, 1 memorabilia
Certified: 8 - 3 base/parallels, 4 memorabilia, 1 MEM/AU
Crown Royale: 4 - 2 base/inserts, 2 memorabilia
Canada vs. The World: 2 memorabilia
H&P: 2 - 1 base, 1 memorabilia
Limited: 3 - 1 parallel, 2 memorabilia (really like the net cards)
OPC: 8 base/parallels/inserts
Pinnacle: 3 base/parallels
Score: 5 base/parallels
UD: 4 - 3 base/insert/parallels, 1 memorabilia
Victory: 4 base/insert/parallels

That all adds up to 60 out of over 350 cards produced. Look how many products aren't listed because, well, there's 0 cards in my collection. Nobody's really holding my interest this year, except for BTP which always delivers cards of top quality and desire for my collection. Burnout much? LOL

Due to the crazy person I am and the fact I spent too much money, i've bought a box for every product on that list except Canada vs the World and Artifacts. Its at the point that its too much. Add in Elite, SPx, SP Game Used, Contenders and Enforcers and it just gets to be too much between 2 products. I did the math. ITG puts out 6-8 products a year max which is more then enough. If they had 2 low, 2-3 mid-range and 1-3 high we'd be set completely. I think its all the mid-range stuff which is wrecking the hobby. The $100+ box products with 10 packs or less are turning out to be the worst investments for not only myself but everyone except for people looking to flip on the first day for a profit.

[cammy118]

UD is still a big player in the OTHER sports IMO.

They wont stop,not yet at least.

[Counterbalance]

UD is still a big player in the OTHER sports IMO.

They don't even have an NFL, NBA, or MLB license. That's a bit of a handicap.

If Upper Deck falls, I can easily live with that. They even deserve it.
Currently ALL three card companies produce more cards than we need. For example, ITG has done nothing to reduce their production, vice versa.

Would you prefer to have the NFL's situation instead? Topps and Panini are putting out 18 sets apiece this year.

[hockey01]

to be honest, the whole re-sell thing doesnt interest me one bit, i'd rather buy a box of certified/spa/artifacts/spx ect ect ect ect pull a card someone can use for their PC and get a PC card in return.

I think what ruins this for some people is they try and make money off of soemthing that used to be an enjoyable hobby. They start to nerd rage when they get a bad box of cards because they know they cant sell anything. but they really have 3 or 4 cards out of that box someone else can use for their pc.

I do fine without reselling, just trades. its a hobby not a living.

and iidaemmii i dont agree that ud deserves to fail, thats a little harsh, they need some new management maybe, but telling everyone at ud to go find other jobs or hit the unemployment line isnt a answer. UD has been a very good card company and has had some bad production mishaps. They have fixed every problem i have ever come across and i've seen them make wrongs with other people right.

[mjohansson90]

The idea of limiting companies to producing like 6 sets per year is illogical. If Upper Deck is having problems now with their current lineup of products, how will significantly reducing the products they can release help their bottom line? The only solution would be to mass produce those products like they did in the early 90s. You'd still be left with box breaks that fall far short of expected return.

And what about the shops that sell these products? It's probably already difficult to stay afloat as it is with the array of products released now, so reducing the number of products that fill their shelves during the course of the year will somehow produce greater benefit?

Derek

[Saytalk]

The idea of limiting companies to producing like 6 sets per year is illogical. If Upper Deck is having problems now with their current lineup of products, how will significantly reducing the products they can release help their bottom line? The only solution would be to mass produce those products like they did in the early 90s. You'd still be left with box breaks that fall far short of expected return.

And what about the shops that sell these products? It's probably already difficult to stay afloat as it is with the array of products released now, so reducing the number of products that fill their shelves during the course of the year will somehow produce greater benefit?

Derek

It's still the same problem: there are too many cards produced each year. Whether it's 6 sets that would be over-produced or 13 sets that over-saturate the market, there is just too much supply. If Upper Deck was run by people who cared about the hobby instead of money-mongers trying to maximize profits every year, then the company would be healthier and more profitable in the long-run.

So how long until the market collapses again?

[jpboyle]

I'd have to agree that there are too many sets right now, although I know UD has been reducing the number they put out (Ice got cut, Victory just had its last year). I doubt UD is going bankrupt any time soon though. Even though SPGU was bad, Series 1 and 2 were amazing for value at under $100 a box. Any company will put out some bad products, but as long as they have enough good ones they'll get by. I'd be more worried about ITG disappearing than UD.

[centrehice]

I don't have a problem with card companies producing 12 sets or more each year. Just be sensible about Retail Price Point, which has not happened since the Lockout.

When Topps pulled the pin after the 2003-04 Hockey issue, and Pacific folded up the tent, that basically gave UD the green light to overcharge their retailers, and eventually the consumer by $20.00-$40.00 more per box, with little intrinsic value to show for it.

Along comes Panini and just uses UD prices as their guide and does the same thing.

It was mentioned that Topps will jump back into the Hockey fray next year. I hope they do, as UD and Panini need somebody to compete in this game that has been there for years and actually have a great Customer Service department.

If not for shallow pockets, UD and Panini would be sued by the average joe repeatedly for their insensitivity, and incompetence.

[Tivo32]

I don't have a problem with card companies producing 12 sets or more each year. Just be sensible about Retail Price Point, which has not happened since the Lockout.

When Topps pulled the pin after the 2003-04 Hockey issue, and Pacific folded up the tent, that basically gave UD the green light to overcharge their retailers, and eventually the consumer by $20.00-$40.00 more per box, with little intrinsic value to show for it.

Along comes Panini and just uses UD prices as their guide and does the same thing.

It was mentioned that Topps will jump back into the Hockey fray next year. I hope they do, as UD and Panini need somebody to compete in this game that has been there for years and actually have a great Customer Service department.

If not for shallow pockets, UD and Panini would be sued by the average joe repeatedly for their insensitivity, and incompetence.

I'm somewhat new to hockey cards. Did Topps lose their NHL license or did they just move away from producing hockey cards?

[centrehice]

Topps did not renew their Hockey License when the NHL announced that they were locking out the players. They may have made that conscious decision prior to the lockout in anticipation of it actually happening.